Providence Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys

Gilead Sciences, Inc., is the pharmaceutical giant responsible for various HIV treatment medications including the antiretroviral drug, Truvada. Composed of the components emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), Truvada works by interfering with the activity of an enzyme known as reverse transcriptase, which helps in the replication process of HIV.

First approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004, the drug has been a boon for Gilead Sciences, helping the company to rake in billions of dollars in profit. Since its release, Truvada has gone on to dominate the market.

Unfortunately, the TDF component in Truvada has led to some users suffering serious health complications including kidney damage and bone demineralization. As a result, Gilead Sciences has come under legal scrutiny and now faces lawsuits by plaintiffs who have been harmed as a result of using the drug.

If you or a loved one have been affected by the dangerous side effects of Truvada, contact the Providence Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm right now at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. We will make sure that Gilead Sciences pays for the pain they have caused you.

The Issue with Truvada

Certain individuals with HIV may use antiretroviral drugs such as Truvada to manage their condition and protect their health. When used in combination with other medications, Truvada is able to reduce the activity of the particular enzyme that supports the replication process of HIV-infected cells. However, in order to be effective, the Truvada formula calls for an overabundance of the TDF component.

This is where the issue begins.

Because of its low absorption rate, the TDF component must be taken in high quantities in order to suppress the virus. Numerous studies have shown that excessive amounts of TDF can cause damage to the skeletal and urinary systems.

Plaintiffs are arguing that Gilead Sciences knew well in advance of these issues and yet still failed to warn consumers. Furthermore, lawsuits against Gilead have also claimed that the company had developed a safer drug component known as tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) during the same period that it had developed TDF.

Instead of releasing the safer TAF-based drugs, however, the company doubled-down on their patented TDF drugs in order to maintain market dominance. Gilead shelved its TAF-based drug until close to when the TDF patent expired, then released it as a “new and improved” version of Truvada.

Rather than provide a safer drug, or at the very least, provide adequate information to consumers, Gilead Sciences simply placed profit before people.

What to Know About Bone Mineral Density Loss Caused by Truvada Use

Bones naturally break down and are rebuilt in the processes known as resorption and formation. While this occurs naturally, the TDF component in Truvada can exacerbate the process of resorption, which means that bone begins to break down at a rate faster than it can rebuild.

When this occurs, individuals begin to suffer from bone demineralization, which can be painful for sufferers. Individuals who are taking Truvada should be well aware of the following signs which may indicate that they have begun to suffer from bone loss density:

Unexplained back pain
Fractured/collapsed vertebra
Loss of height over time
Changes in posture (stooped posture)

It is in your best interest to speak with your doctor about the potential for bone loss if you are using Truvada. Failure to catch bone loss in its initial stages can lead to serious health issues including:

Pain in the extremities (arms and legs)
Dental complications such as tooth decay and loss
Bone breaks/fractures
The development of osteopenia
The development of osteoporosis

You took Truvada in an effort to preserve your health, not hurt it. Do NOT allow Gilead Sciences to take advantage of you. Contact the trustworthy Providence defective drug attorneys of Onder Law Firm today at (314) 310-7924 to fight back.

Kidney Damage Caused by Truvada Use

A study conducted by a team of researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California found that the risk of kidney disease increased by 33 percent each year that an individual was exposed to TDF. This clinical research included more than 10,000 HIV positive patients.

As shown by this research, the surplus of TDF in the bloodstream makes it difficult for kidneys to properly filter blood. Over time, kidneys begin to lose their ability to function at maximum capacity, which can lead to serious health issues. If not protected, individuals using Truvada can suffer from:

Acute kidney injury
Acute renal failure
Chronic kidney disease
Declining kidney function
Fanconi Syndrome
Total kidney failure

As kidney function begins to fall, additional health complications can arise, including an increased risk of stroke or heart attack. When kidney function falls to lower than 15 percent, then individuals will need to go through dialysis. In the last stages of kidney failure, a kidney transplant may be the only hope for survival.

If you have begun to experience any of the following symptoms, these may be signs that you will need to seek medical attention immediately:

Anemia
Bruising
Changes in skin color
Confusion
Difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Inability to urinate
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Swelling
Vomiting
Weakness

Speak with your physician if you believe you are suffering from kidney damage, then contact our dedicated and qualified team of Truvada lawsuit attorneys in Providence at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation.

Previous Lawsuits and FDA Warnings Gilead Has Faced

Unfortunately, there are far too many instances in which Gilead Sciences has been questioned for its practices. Over the last 30 years of operation, the pharmaceutical giant has faced its share of lawsuits and FDA warnings, including:

In 2002, the FDA warned Gilead Sciences about making false claims about one of its antiretroviral drugs being non-toxic. Clinical studies by this point had shown that there was a potential for kidney damage for individuals using the drug.
In 2003, Gilead Sciences was warned once again about falsely marketing its products as being completely safe. The company was also warned for marketing a drug for uses it had not been approved for.
In 2014, the FDA made Gilead Sciences remove information online which boasted about Truvada’s safety.
In 2017, two former employees came forward with information that the company had been sourcing ingredients from an unapproved vendor in China. The company was fined for these actions.
In early 2019, Gilead was hit with accusations that it had been bribing healthcare providers in order to increase prescriptions and sales of its HIV and hepatitis medications. The company was accused of paying off doctors’ salaries, upgrading medical equipment and tech for medical providers, and paying healthcare professionals to increase the number of prescriptions written.
A lawsuit emerged in May 2019 against Gilead Sciences which accused the company, along with other HIV drugmakers such as Bristol-Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson, for utilizing illegal tactics to keep prices artificially high and creating a monopoly.

These lawsuits show the true motivations of Gilead Sciences.

Providence HIV Statistics

As per AIDSvu.org:

There are approximately 2,396 people living with HIV in Rhode Island.
In 2016, Providence County had an HIV rate of 323 people out of every 100,000 living with HIV.
In the State of Rhode Island:
- 45 percent of people living with HIV were of White race/ethnicity.
- 4 percent of people living with HIV were of Hispanic/Latinx race/ethnicity.
- 2 percent of people living with HIV were of Black race/ethnicity.
There were 83 new HIV diagnoses in 2017.
There were 34 deaths of people with HIV in 2016.
In terms of prevalence:
- The rate for Black males being diagnosed with HIV was 4.7 times that of White males.
- The rate for Hispanic males being diagnosed with HIV was 2.7 times that of White males.
- The rate for Black females being diagnosed with HIV was 17.7 times that of White females.
- The rate for Hispanic females being diagnosed with HIV was 6.9 times that of White females.
Male-to-male sexual contact accounted for 61.3 percent of all cases of transmission for males.
For females, heterosexual contact was the primary cause of transmission (67.4 percent).

Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys in Providence Dedicated to Fighting for You

Alongside a supporting team of medical specialists, investigators, researchers, and other legal professionals, our Providence Truvada lawsuit attorneys will fight for compensation for but not limited to:

Medical Bills (past, present, and future)
Pain and Suffering
Lost Wages (past, present, and future)
Loss of Earning Capacity
Loss of Quality of Life
Loss of Consortium
Emotional Damages
Wrongful Death Damages (if loss of life occurs)

When you put your trust in Onder Law Firm, know that you are working with a team of attorneys who will not rest until we get you the results you need and deserve. Our law firm offers:

No fees unless we win your case.
Over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements.
A history of fighting large corporations and pharmaceutical companies.
A nationally-recognized team of attorneys.
Open and direct communication with your attorney.
A team that will be with you every step of the way.
A team that fully advocates and fights for YOU.
Attorneys who are more than capable of handling your claim in court.

Do you live in Providence metro area? Have been prescribed Truvada and have begun to suffer bone and/or kidney damage after prolonged use? Then contact Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 to schedule a FREE consultation with our experienced defective drug lawsuit attorneys today.